Brazil's Congress on Thursday overturned President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's veto of a bill that sharply reduces former President Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence. Bolsonaro was convicted of leading a coup attempt after losing the 2022 election.
The legislation reduces prison terms for several crimes, including those against the democratic rule of law and leading a coup, and could potentially shave 20 years off the former president's sentence. The move may also benefit supporters of Bolsonaro who were sentenced under similar charges. Bolsonaro, who began serving his sentence in November, is currently under house arrest.
The override follows a veto by President Lula in January, a symbolic gesture marking three years since Bolsonaro supporters ransacked the capital, Brasília. This action by the largely conservative congress further weakens the leftist leader's hand in Congress and deals a major blow to Lula ahead of his reelection bid this year, during which he faces Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons, as his most bitter rival.
The measure now awaits confirmation by Brazil's Supreme Court, where it is likely to be appealed.